6 Foods You Can Eat That Support Your Dental Health

Everyone worries about their teeth: Are they too yellow, are they straight, do they have any cavities, how can they grow stronger? Because a person’s smile is typically the first thing others see during first interactions or appearances, it’s natural for anyone to be self-conscious about their appearance. But what most people neglect to realize is that their dental health is just as important as their dental appearance. While pearly whites may be more aesthetically pleasing, the core health of one’s teeth and gums is what concerns more dentists.

With this in mind, many dentists and businesses, whether a Summerlin dentist or a Las Vegas dentist, have made an attempt to encourage their patients to care about their dental health. This campaign starts with food. What a person consumes has a powerful influence over the health of their teeth and gums, and thus, dentists are trying to inform their patients of what foods can best support their dental health. Taken from the experts, the following are the top 6 foods that you can eat to support your dental health.

Calcium Rich and Phosphorous Foods

Too much acid in one’s diet can cause the destruction of tooth enamel. In order to re-build or strengthen that enamel, one needs to consume the minerals that were lost due to acidic erosion. Calcium and phosphorous serve as a great way to avoid further erosion, and they help build strength back in teeth.

Examples of foods that are high in calcium are: yogurt, cheese, tofu, nuts. For phosphorus, other nuts, broth and seafood are recommended.

Foods High in Water

Foods that are high in water are often crunchy. Think of celery or carrots: the tough texture of these foods helps clean teeth, clearing the surface and crevices of plaque and other food particles that may cause dental discomfort. Furthermore, the crunch of these foods forces one’s glands to produce more saliva in order to break the food down for digestive purposes. This excessive saliva is beneficial, as it makes acts as an agent for dental health: the more saliva one produces, the more likely that saliva will break down bacteria that can cause cavities.

Vitamin D and Vitamin C Rich Foods

Although people often associate Vitamin D with sunlight, this vitamin is also vital for dental health. Vitamin D helps bodies absorb and retain calcium, giving teeth the strength that they need.

In order to consume vitamin D that may be beneficial to dental health, you can try eating fish or egg yolks. As for Vitamin C, this vitamin is important for gum health. By ensuring that blood vessels are strong and avoiding any irritation or inflammation of the gums, Vitamin C acts as a protein, producing collagen to help combat any disease.

Examples of foods that are rich in Vitamin C are: kiwi, broccoli, and kale.

Foods Rich in Antioxidants

Just like in any diet, balance is key. While consuming foods high in water, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus is important, there are still other ways to benefit one’s dental health. Foods that are rich with antioxidants are also beneficial because the antioxidants, like Vitamin C, help reduce bacteria that can cause periodontal disease. Antioxidants also help protect tissue from any cell damage.

Foods such as berries and beans are rich in antioxidants.

Foods Packed with Probiotics

Aside from rich antioxidant food, one should also consider consuming probiotics. Although it may seem counterintuitive to add bacteria into one’s mouth, it is important to have good bacteria to combat the bad bacteria.

Probiotics help destroy plaque and strengthen gums and can be found in yogurt and other fermented foods, such as sauerkraut.

Foods with Anthocyanins

Lastly, foods that are high in anthocyanins have recently been found as a great source of protection against oral cancer. Typically, these elements are found in soy and nuts, but they can be found in some meats as well. Anthocyanins also help with plaque buildup, thus reducing the chances of cavities.

Additional Good Foods to Consume

Overall, dental health is important for any individual. Pearly whites, pink gums, good breath: everyone seemingly wants strong dental health, and dentists are spreading the word that diet is a prime factor in ensuring one’s dental health is great. Considering what one consumes is important to ensure a perfect smile! And don’t forget, other foods that are beneficial toward dental health are: cheese, leafy greens, water, green tea, gum, ginger, sweet potatoes, and red wine. Happy eating!

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